Hard Rock Cafe International Inc. is prepared to make a "major investment" in Japan as lawmakers propose to renew the debate on legalizing casinos in the country.

The U.S. cafe and casino chain is looking for partners to jointly bid for a license in anticipation that the Diet will approve gaming resorts, Chief Executive Officer Hamish Dodds said.

"We can either play a lead role or a partnership role," Dodds said in an interview in Tokyo. "We really hope that we can collaborate with Japanese partners and institutions."